A handy excuse: DIY ability is in the genes

Struggling with the DIY? Only one in three have the spatial awareness needed for home improvements

Home improvement enthusiasts who flounder with flat-pack furniture were given an excuse today for their struggles - DIY ability is in the genes, say scientists.

Two in three Britons lack the necessary spatial awareness to complete DIY tasks, researchers concluded.

They estimated that £400 million worth of damage was caused last year by people who lack genetically pre-determined Do-It-Yourself ability.

Men scored higher in the experiment, suggesting they really are better 'programmed' to carry out essential home improvement tasks.

Psychologist Dr Glenn Wilson, who led the experiment, said: 'Although there is not one specific DIY gene, spatial awareness is vital in understanding how shapes fit together and is therefore fundamental to DIY skills.

'Some people simply do not have the mental equipment necessary to manipulate shapes and will always struggle to complete DIY tasks successfully.'

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The study was conducted for Halifax Home Insurance by ICM Research between March 25 and 28, with 2,000 UK adults questioned.

It comes just a day after a report revealed more and more of us are losing interest in DIY and finding something
better to do.

An astonishing two
million of us have stopped doing our own home improvements over the
past couple of years, according to analysts Mintel.

Neil Mason, of Mintel, said: ‘DIY retailers have been losing share
of all retail sales because of the ageing population being less
inclined to do DIY, the growth of a do-it-for-me market and a change in
attitudes to the home.'